The arrival of Oklahoma and Texas in the SEC shakes up the college football landscape. This three-person discussion tackles key questions surrounding the conference’s future:
Competitive Balance and Parity: Can the SEC maintain its strength while welcoming these powerhouses, or will it become a “super conference” at the top? Will other programs be left behind, or can the conference foster parity and exciting competition across the board?
Old Rivals Renewed: Oklahoma and Texas gain new conference rivals while reigniting old flames. Who are they likely to face, and how will this impact the historic Red River Rivalry?
Timeline for Success: How long will it take for Oklahoma and Texas to find success in the SEC? What are the realistic expectations for these programs in their new conference home?
Join Craig, Matt, and Zack for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of the SEC and the challenges and opportunities these two historic programs face.
Three Guys/Three Questions Takes A Look At The New S.E.C.
Competitive Balance and Parity: The SEC is already known for its top-heavy nature, with powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU often dominating. How will the addition of Oklahoma and Texas, both historically strong programs, impact competitive balance? Will it create a super conference at the top, or can the SEC find ways to ensure parity and exciting competition throughout the league?
Craig: I am not naive enough to think Oklahoma and Texas will walk right into the SEC and be the same dominant programs they’ve been in the Big 12. However, if both teams can continue to recruit at the level that they have been, I can see them being in the top with Alabama and Georgia. Over the last two seasons both Oklahoma and Texas have began to beef up their offensive and defensive lines. Should this continue I think both programs will be playing for SEC titles down the road.
Matt: The SEC’s dominance is about to get a double-shot with the arrival of Oklahoma and Texas. These powerhouses join Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, potentially creating a super conference at the top. Recruiting could become even more concentrated, leaving other programs behind.
However, there’s a chance for increased parity too. More revenue from conference expansion could help even the financial playing field. Plus, facing tougher competition can push all teams to improve, leading to more upsets and thrilling conference races.
The key to a balanced future lies in the SEC’s hands. Fair scheduling, revenue distribution, and strong coaching hires across the conference can create a landscape where every team has a shot at the top, making the SEC even more exciting to watch.
Zack: Alabama and Georgia seem to be the focus of SEC football, but the conference has featured several other consistently ranked teams over the years as well. Despite those two schools being responsible for 9 of the last 10 SEC Championships, last season had several competitors within the conference, so adding Oklahoma and Texas to the mix should just push the conference to an even more competitive balance.
Old Rivals Renewed: Who do Oklahoma and Texas gain as “rivals” in the S.E.C.? How does that impact the annual Red River Rivalry Game in Dallas?
Craig: It seems to me like the SEC is pushing hard for Arkansas to be a new rival for Oklahoma. However, I think the most likely rival for the Sooners is Missouri. The fans have been going back and forth on social media for months which has even led to some players engaging in trash talk online.
The obvious answer for Texas is the Aggies down in College Station. It will be excited to see this rivalry pick back up once again.
I’m not sure that any new rival for Oklahoma or Texas will impact the Red River Rivalry game. There’s not a lot that can change one of the greatest rivalry games in all of sports. Regardless of which opponents pop up on the schedule, each team will always have the Red River Rivalry circled on the calendar.
Matt: The Red River Rivalry’s importance isn’t diminished by joining the SEC. It will remain the biggest game of the year for both teams, drawing a national audience.
Joining the SEC rekindles old flames for both Oklahoma and Texas. Oklahoma gets a rematch with Missouri, a former conference foe, while Texas gets to revisit its dislike for Arkansas and keep the “Lone Star Showdown” alive with Texas A&M.
Oklahoma and Mississippi State have the potential for a spicy rivalry. This is because Mississippi State’s coach, Jeff Lebby, used to be Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator. Similarly, Oklahoma and Tennessee could become rivals due to Tennessee’s head coach, Josh Heupel, being Oklahoma’s quarterback during their last championship run as well as a former offensive coordinator.
Texas vs. Everyone: It’s a bit of a joke, but Texas’ reputation for passionate fans and a sometimes-divisive presence means they might have “rivalry” potential with many SEC teams.
Zack: Historically speaking, there’s plenty of argument to be made for Texas vs. Texas A&M, obviously, and Oklahoma has plenty of history with a handful of teams due to postseason action in the last decade or so (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU). Arkansas and Missouri make the most sense for the Sooners otherwise. As far as Red River Rilvary goes, I think it might actually get even bigger since it’s being played in the afternoon instead of 11 AM.
Timeline for Success: What is a realistic timeline for Oklahoma and Texas to find success in the S.E.C.?
Craig: As I mentioned before, both teams have already began to recruit at a higher level heading into the SEC. I believe a realistic timeline would be three to four years. Texas might have a better shot at immediate success with their schedule and team in 2024, but the Sooners are arguably better setup for the future.
Matt: The clock is ticking for Oklahoma and Texas. While both programs secured votes of confidence – Venables with a contract extension and Sarkisian finally leading Texas to the College Football Playoff – the arrival in the SEC brings a stark new reality. The financial muscle and prestige of the conference are undeniable, but they come with a hefty price tag: immediate success.
Gone are the days of cruising through weaker schedules. The SEC is a gauntlet, a weekly test against elite competition. Venables and Sarkisian will need to hit the ground running, maximizing their rosters and adapting their strategies to the SEC’s unique brand of football. Recruiting will be paramount, as attracting top talent is essential for sustained success in this new landscape.
The pressure is amplified by the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff. More opportunities to reach the national stage also mean more scrutiny for underperformance. While building a perennial contender takes time, Oklahoma and Texas can’t afford extended growing pains. Year 1 will be a baptism by fire, but Years 2 and 3 become critical in establishing themselves as contenders in their respective divisions.
The road to SEC dominance won’t be easy, but both Oklahoma and Texas have the resources, coaching talent, and tradition to become major players. This is a new chapter, filled with both challenges and opportunities. The college football world will be watching intently to see how these two historic programs navigate the treacherous waters of the SEC.
Zack: “Success” needs to be defined in order for me to give a timeline. Sooner fans usually have the mindset of “National Championship or bust,” but that will probably change a bit now in a stiffer conference. Texas has just 2 double-digit win seasons in the last 14 years, so their expectations probably shouldn’t be as high. Regardless, I feel like they should be in the running to make the SEC championship game within a year or two.
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